Women's Studies and Gender Studies (BA)
The WSGS BA program provides students with a broad and deep understanding of feminist scholarship and gender theory from an interdisciplinary perspective. Through the WSGS lens of intersectionality, students acquire analytical skills that enable them to see the world in new ways and offer innovative solutions to social and theoretical problems. Service-learning courses, internships, and capstone projects provide opportunities to link theory and practice and advocate for social justice.
Many students combine the WSGS major with a major or minor in another discipline to further hone their skills in that area and integrate their learning in innovative ways. The BA program also provides a robust list of elective options in other disciplines, such as Anthropology, English, History, Psychology, Sociology, and Theology (among others) that enhance the foundational curriculum. In these ways, the program sustains its interdisciplinary character, honors diversity, and continually builds a community of scholars who collaborate and support one another. Our graduates go on to fulfilling careers in education, law, medicine, the non-profit sector, and a number of other fields.
Curriculum
The WSGS major can be declared at any time. You may major in WSGS with or without a second major. The major consists of 36 hours, or 12 courses. A total of at least 21 hours (7 courses) must be at the 300 level or higher. Courses are designated as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| WSGS 101 | Introduction to WSGS from a Global Perspective | 3 |
| WSGS 201 | Contemporary Issues in WSGS | 3 |
| WSGS 330 | History of Feminist Thought and Social Action | 3 |
| WSGS 391 | WSGS Methodologies | 3 |
| WSGS 398 | Women's Studies Internship (or cross-listed service learning course) | 3 |
| WSGS 399 | WSGS Capstone | 3 |
| Theory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Feminist Theory | ||
| Topics in Feminist and Gender Studies | ||
| Queer Theory: Beyond the Binary | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select five (5) elective courses from WSGS and cross-listed offerings, with at least 2 of these at the 300 level. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Interdisciplinary Elective Courses
These are courses outside of the Women's Studies and Gender Studies (WSGS) department that permanently count toward elective requirements. For a full list of WSGS courses, click here. There may also be courses that are temporarily tagged to count toward interdisciplinary elective requirements. These can be found in LOCUS in the class schedule.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 106 | Sex, Science and Anthropological Inquiry | 3 |
| ANTH 203 | Violence, Social Suffering, and Justice | 3 |
| ANTH 205 | Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective | 3 |
| ANTH 245 | Gender in Deep Time | 3 |
| ANTH 307 | The Body and Culture | 3 |
| ANTH 346 | Biology of Women | 3 |
| BIOL 346 | Biology of Women | 3 |
| CJC 370 | Women in The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CJC 373 | Intimate Partner Violence | 3 |
| CLST 271G | Classical Mythology - Women/Gender Focus | 3 |
| CLST 273G | Classical Tragedy - Women/Gender Focus | 3 |
| CLST 295 | Women in the Classical World | 3 |
| COMM 281 | Communication, Language & Gender | 3 |
| ENGL 283 | Women in Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 306 | Studies in Women Writers | 3 |
| ENGL 306A | Studies in Women Writers Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 306B | Studies in Women Writers 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 306C | Studies in Women Writers Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 307 | Topics in Feminist and Gender Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 369A | Women in Drama Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 369B | Women in Drama 1700-1900 | 3 |
| FNAR 207 | Women, Art, and Society | 3 |
| FNAR 360 | Picturing Women in Renaissance and Baroque Art | 3 |
| HIST 290A | History of Sexuality in the United States | 3 |
| HIST 310C | Medieval Women | 3 |
| HIST 310L | Love and Violence in Medieval Culture and Society | 3 |
| HIST 329 | Women's Sphere in Past Society | 3 |
| HIST 329C | Empire, Sex, Violence: European Colonial History | 3 |
| HIST 331A | Food, Hunger and Power in the Modern World | 3 |
| HIST 337A | Women in Russia and Eurasia, 1860-Present | 3 |
| HIST 339F | History of Feminist Thought and Social Action | 3 |
| HIST 341C | Tunisia On-Site: Arab Spring, Democratic Change, Islam | 3 |
| HIST 349A | Women in East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 358 | Women in Latin American History | 3 |
| HIST 377 | African American Women's History | 3 |
| HIST 381 | Rebels & Reformers in U.S. History | 3 |
| HIST 382 | Teaching Race, Class, and Gender | 3 |
| HIST 389B | Topic: Gender, Race, & Class in US History | 3 |
| HIST 389C | Gender Benders | 3 |
| LITR 291 | Italian & Italian-American Women Writers | 3 |
| PHIL 322 | Philosophical Perspectives on Woman | 3 |
| PLSC 251 | Women in American Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 312 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 319 | Women, Law & Public Policy | 3 |
| PLSC 355C | Women and Politics: A Cross-National Perspective | 3 |
| PLSC 399 | Tunisia On-Site: Arab Spring, Democratic Change, Islam | 3 |
| PSYC 235 | Psychology of Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSYC 238 | Gender & Sex Differences & Similarities | 3 |
| PSYC 239 | Understanding Bias and Inclusivity | 3 |
| PSYC 340 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| PSYC 360 | Understanding Prejudice | 3 |
| SOCL 123 | Mass Media and Popular Culture | 3 |
| SOCL 171 | Sociology of Sex and Gender | 3 |
| SOCL 210 | Gender and Work | 3 |
| SOCL 239 | Understanding Bias and Inclusivity | 3 |
| SOCL 240 | Families | 3 |
| SOCL 250 | Inequality in Society | 3 |
| SOCL 262 | Movements for Social Justice: 60s & Beyond | 3 |
| SOCL 266 | Development and Social Change in Modern China | 3 |
| SPAN 361 | Hispanic Women Writers | 3 |
| THEO 278 | Religion & Gender | 3 |
| THEO 365 | Women, Gender and Embodiment in Islam | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| WSGS 101 | Introduction to WSGS from a Global Perspective | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| WSGS 201 | Contemporary Issues in WSGS | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| WSGS 330 | History of Feminist Thought and Social Action | 3 |
| PLSC 312 |
Feminist Theory or Topics in Feminist and Gender Studies or Queer Theory: Beyond the Binary |
3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS 398 | Women's Studies Internship | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| WSGS 391 | WSGS Methodologies | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| WSGS 399 | WSGS Capstone | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Interdisciplinary Options
For students interested in English
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WSGS 201 | Contemporary Issues in WSGS | 3 |
| ENGL 283 | Women in Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 306 | Studies in Women Writers | 3 |
| ENGL 307 | Topics in Feminist and Gender Studies | 3 |
| FNAR 207 | Women, Art, and Society | 3 |
For students interested in Political Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WSGS 201 | Contemporary Issues in WSGS | 3 |
| PLSC 355C | Women and Politics: A Cross-National Perspective | 3 |
| PLSC 312 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 319 | Women, Law & Public Policy | 3 |
| PHIL 327 | Topics in Political Philosophy | 3 |
For students interested in Psychology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WSGS 201 | Contemporary Issues in WSGS | 3 |
| PSYC 235 | Psychology of Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSYC 238 | Gender & Sex Differences & Similarities | 3 |
| PSYC 340 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| SOCL 250 | Inequality in Society | 3 |
For students interested in Sociology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WSGS 201 | Contemporary Issues in WSGS | 3 |
| SOCL 123 | Mass Media and Popular Culture | 3 |
| SOCL 210 | Gender and Work | 3 |
| SOCL 240 | Families | 3 |
| SOCL 276 | The Sociology and Politics of Food | 3 |
For students interested in Theology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| WSGS 201 | Contemporary Issues in WSGS | 3 |
| THEO 278 | Religion & Gender | 3 |
| THEO 192 | Topics in Moral Problems | 3 |
| THEO 365 | Women, Gender and Embodiment in Islam | 3 |
| ENGL 283 | Women in Literature | 3 |
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduating, undergraduate Women’s Studies and Gender Studies students will be able to:
- Identify major influences within key historic feminist movements. These influences may include activists, authors and/or writings, or legislation.
- Articulate how women’s studies and gender studies is a distinct field connected to other interdisciplinary fields of study.
- Evaluate, compare, and critique gender and feminist theories and methodologies.
- Identify the interactions and intersections of identities (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and so on) and assess the ways in which they contribute to instances of privilege and power dynamics across cultures, space, and time.
- Recognize their relationship within their communities and understand that actions (or inactions) are integral to overcoming inequalities.
- Connect theory with practice through a service learning or internship experience.
- Identify and employ legitimate sources of information covering social inequalities and injustices.
- Read current social inequities effectively and suggest solutions based on feminist methodologies.
- Prepare for graduate study and for work in professional fields.